Naruto: Fusion of Multiverse Character Templates

Chapter 177 Fourth Hokage Nomination, Sakumo's Mission Fails (First and Second Updates)

Although Manda was arrogant, he ultimately dared not be arrogant when faced with a life-or-death crisis.

After Natsuki and Rope Tree beat it up, and with the help of the three Snake Princesses, it finally agreed to fight for them.

Most importantly, summoning it no longer requires offerings.

Xia Mu thought of a question.

Why didn't Orochimaru beat up Manda in the original work?

Xia Mu could only think of one reason: he didn't care.

After he turned to the dark side, he felt no psychological burden whatsoever in using living people as sacrifices.

Or perhaps they didn't want to offend Ryuji-dong.

July has arrived.

Natsuki finally learned the Sage Mode of Ryuchi Cave.

"Master is truly a genius!"

Princess Tsuratsu revealed a radiant smile and said, "Plus, with that beautiful appearance, I wonder how many girls would fall for her!"

"How could my master possibly be interested in someone as common and vulgar as you?"

Princess Ichikishima glared at her.

"You're just a little brat, you have nothing, your master will look down on you even less!"

Princess Tsuratsu retorted without hesitation.

"What did you say?"

Princess Ichikishima was furious; her pupils turned vertically upwards, transforming into snake eyes.

Her once cute little face now looked somewhat ferocious.

"Don't make a sound."

Xia Mu casually said something and then activated Sage Mode.

He immediately felt his senses expand.

Even without using sensory ninjutsu or abilities, he can sense the surrounding situation.

Especially in places with abundant natural energy, perception is more acute.

Xia Mu stretched out his hand and created a mirror using Ice Release.

Then he noticed the change in his face; there was a noticeable increase in eyeshadow.

Fortunately, he didn't grow two horns like Kabuto Yakushi, nor did he develop a mask like Jiraiya.

In short, Xia Mu is still acceptable.

He experienced it for himself and found that the Sage Mode in Ryuchi Cave was also short-lived.

Similar to the Sage Mode of Mount Myōboku, it only lasts for five minutes.

If you want to extend the time, you must use the Immortal Technique: Two Lives.

Its effect is simple: it allows Fukasaku and Shima to merge into Jiraiya's shoulder.

If we go to Ryuchi Cave, we'll most likely get help from the three great snake princesses.

"Do you know about the Celestial Art: The Art of Two Lives?"

Xia Mu asked.

"Know."

Princess Ichikishima immediately said, "It is a sage technique from Mount Myōboku."

"Our Ryuchi Cave also has similar magical techniques."

Knowing what Natsuki was thinking, Princess Tsuratsu said, "One of our three great snake princesses can help."

Is one enough?

Xia Mu raised an eyebrow.

Based on this, it seems that the three Snake Princesses are even stronger than Fukasaku and Shima.

However, it's also possible that it's related to the magic of Ryuchi Cave, so the three snake princesses don't need to help.

Besides, with three Snake Princesses helping out, where do they fit in?

"Master, I'm here to help you!"

After Princess Ichikishima finished speaking, she immediately formed hand seals.

Her body shrank rapidly, eventually becoming a miniature doll that looked only a dozen centimeters long.

Princess Ichikishima floated onto Natsuki's shoulder.

Her lower body merged into his shoulder, leaving only her upper body.

Xia Mu glanced at it but did not feel any discomfort.

A moment later, he sensed the continuous flow of Sage Chakra from Princess Ichikishima.

His Sage Mode duration was greatly extended.

"That's enough, you can go now."

After Xia Mu finished experiencing it, he said.

Princess Ichikishima landed back on the ground, grew taller, and returned to her loli form.

"I will continue to learn immortal arts, but not in Ryuchi Cave."

Xia Mu explained, "Just wait for my summons when the time comes."

"Yes, Master."

Princess Tashin, Princess Tsurutsu, and Princess Ichikishima spoke in unison.

Xia Mu nodded and left Ryuchi Cave.

As soon as he returned to Konoha Village, a ray of intense sunlight shone on him.

It's July now, and the temperature in Konoha Village has reached its highest point.

Yongji-dong has no seasons; it's gloomy every day.

After all, snakes prefer shade.

"Natsuki-sama."

An elephant suddenly appeared.

"Is there something you need?"

Xia Mu subconsciously looked at him.

"The Hokage requests your presence in his office."

"It answered."

Xia Mu raised an eyebrow and nodded.

He then walked toward the Hokage's office.

"Natsuki."

As they turned onto another street, Tsunade's voice rang out.

"Tsunade-sensei."

Xia Mu stopped and said with a smile, "What a coincidence."

"It's not a coincidence."

Tsunade shook her head and said, "Because I also have to go to the Hokage's office."

"Has something big happened?"

Xia Mu was taken aback.

Under normal circumstances, Hiruzen Sarutobi would not call out to Tsunade.

Because Tsunade is lazy.

She gets angry if you ask her to do anything.

Unless it's something really big.

"have no idea."

Tsunade paused, then asked with a smile, "As the Captain-Commander of the Anbu, shouldn't you know this better than I do?"

"I've been learning Sage Mode at Ryuchi Cave lately."

Natsuki explained, "I haven't really been involved in matters concerning Konoha and the Anbu."

"I forgot about that."

Tsunade lived next door to Natsuki, so she naturally knew that he had been learning Sage Mode recently.

"We'll know soon enough."

Xia Mu said nonchalantly.

"Too."

Tsunade smiled and said.

The two quickly arrived at the Hokage's office.

Besides them, there are also Danzo Shimura, Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and Orochimaru.

"teacher."

Suppressing his surprise, Natsuki walked up to Orochimaru and greeted him.

He suddenly realized that this was a meeting of Konoha's high-ranking officials.

But why was he invited?

Did Hiruzen Sarutobi consider himself a high-ranking member of Konoha?

Others also realized this.

Orochimaru and Tsunade were naturally happy for Natsuki.

Koharu and Mitokado were somewhat surprised.

But Natsuki is indeed qualified.

The captain of the Anbu, coupled with Kage-level strength, and the benefits brought by the red and blue healing potions.

They have no shortage of status, power, or money.

Danzo Shimura, on the other hand, felt an itch in his teeth and was furious.

He worked diligently for Konoha for so many years before becoming a high-ranking member of the village.

Xia Mu is only eighteen years old this year. He became a high-ranking official in Konoha as soon as he came of age. How could he bear this?

But he couldn't do anything.

He knew very well that this was Hiruzen Sarutobi's decision.

With the support of Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru, even if he had the support of Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, it would be difficult to stop him.

Moreover, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado might not necessarily support him.

A moment later, Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared.

Orochimaru and the others immediately sensed that he was in a bad mood.

It seems something serious has indeed happened.

Xia Mu suddenly had a thought.

Could it be related to Sakumo Hatake?

"I just received a message from the daimyo."

After Hiruzen Sarutobi sat down, he spoke.

Shimura Danzo and the others were immediately taken aback.

Although Konoha Village serves the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire rarely interferes in Konoha Village's affairs.

He only cares about two things: the Hokage succession and financial assistance.

But at this point in time, neither of these things has happened.

"The mission to Sakumo failed, and both the Land of Fire and Konoha suffered heavy losses. The Daimyo is very angry about this, so he sent me a message."

Hiruzen Sarutobi continued.

Everyone fell silent.

This is an extremely rare occurrence.

The daimyo of the Land of Fire punished Konoha Village for failing his mission.

"With Sakumo's abilities, how could the mission have failed?"

Mitokado Yan frowned and asked.

"He abandoned the mission to save his teammates."

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed and said.

"madness!"

Upon hearing this, Shimura Danzo couldn't help but rebuke, "As ninjas, the mission should be your top priority! How can you abandon the mission for your teammates?"

"Shuomao was indeed wrong in this matter."

Koharu Utatane's face was rather grim. "If we offend the daimyo, our funding for next year might be cut."

"Sakumo was too impulsive. No matter what, a ninja should never abandon a mission."

Mitokado Yan echoed this sentiment.

"Saving your teammates is not wrong."

Tsunade thought for a moment and then said.

But she couldn't really say anything about abandoning the mission.

After all, the first rule of the ninja code is clearly stated: always prioritize the mission.

Even ninjas sometimes fail their missions.

Orochimaru said calmly, "There's no point in arguing about who's right and who's wrong right now. The most urgent thing is to make up for the losses caused by the mission."

"I think the teacher is absolutely right."

Xia Mu immediately offered his support.

He also discovered something.

That is, the fact that Sakumo Hatake failed his mission did not become widely known in Konoha Village as it did in the original work.

If Shimura Danzo were to cause trouble, it would be after this Konoha high-level meeting.

In this way, Xia Mu would have a chance to make amends.

He could stop any disturbance from Shimura Danzo and the Root family.

"Of course, we must make up for the losses caused by the mission!"

Danzo Shimura snorted coldly and said, "But Sakumo also needs to be punished for causing the mission to fail!"

"This matter also involves Daimyo."

Koharu Utatane reminded him, "What punishment Sakumo should receive is up to the daimyo to decide."

"Let's put the punishment aside for now and make up for the losses caused by the mission."

Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his hand, stopping their argument.

"I can contribute a portion of the profits from the healing potion."

Xia Mu spoke up.

Everyone was slightly taken aback, completely unexpected that he would say such a thing.

"Natsuki, Konoha hasn't reached the point where it needs your money yet."

Tsunade rolled her eyes at him and said.

"Tsunade is right."

Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed and said, "It's good that you have the intention."

"Yes."

Xia Mu wasn't surprised.

He had already guessed this outcome, so he put on a show to demonstrate his superior Will of Fire.

Even if I really make him pay, it doesn't matter.

Although red and blue healing potions earn more money, it's still small change for Xia Mu.

He now owns the Land of Snow, the Land of Demons, the Land of Grass, and the Land of Rain, plus the Dawn Corporation; he simply has more money than he can spend.

"One failed mission is nothing."

Hiruzen Sarutobi remarked with emotion, "With such an outstanding young man as Natsuki, the village's future is bright."

Danzo Shimura clenched his fists instinctively.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's high regard for Natsuki is self-evident.

If things continue like this, Natsuki will definitely become the next Hokage.

Danzo Shimura recalled that if he had been one step ahead of Hiruzen Sarutobi, he would have become Hokage long ago.

One wrong step leads to another, to the point that he harbors some resentment towards Tobirama Senju.

How can a Hokage be chosen by covering the rear?

"I'll be fifty this year, and I've definitely aged a lot."

Hiruzen Sarutobi continued.

Shimura Danzo and the others suddenly felt a jolt, realizing something.

"You can retire, but don't ask me to be Hokage."

Tsunade said without any hesitation.

Natsuki glanced at Orochimaru, who had a calm expression.

In the original work, he fled Konoha after losing the competition with Minato Namikaze.

Xia Mu felt that he was the kind of person who wasn't interested in Naruto, but you couldn't refuse him.

He didn't feel anything about losing to Tsunade or Jiraiya.

But he wouldn't be too happy to lose to his junior, Minato Namikaze.

"Hiruzen is fifty years old, in the prime of his life, and it's not time for him to retire yet."

"Shimura Danzo said quickly."

"Let's not talk about that now."

Hiruzen Sarutobi returned to the main topic and discussed how to make up for the losses caused by Sakumo Hatake's failed mission.

After talking for half an hour, we basically made a decision.

Fortunately, Xia Mu's healing potion earned Konoha Village a lot of money.

Although the losses are significant, they are still manageable.

"What should be done about Shuo Mao?"

Danzo Shimura couldn't wait to ask.

"We'll have to ask the daimyo about how to handle Sakumo."

Hiruzen Sarutobi thought for a moment and said, "I'll have Minato take me to the metropolis of the Land of Fire tomorrow."

"I'll go with you."

Tsunade then said, "I still have some influence with the daimyo."

"You and Minato will come to my office at nine o'clock tomorrow."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and said.

The high-level meeting has now concluded.

Xia Mu realized that her previous worries were somewhat unnecessary.

Konoha Village no longer needs to suppress Sakumo Hatake.

Even Shimura Danzo ignored him.

Because he's more concerned about something else right now.

That was the signal that Hiruzen Sarutobi had just revealed.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the election for the next Hokage is about to begin.

When a new Hokage takes office, there will be a change of power in Konoha.

In particular, the relationship between Shimura Danzo and the next Hokage is likely to be very bad.

After all, everyone knows that Orochimaru is the most likely candidate to become the next Hokage.

Even if it wasn't him, it would have been Tsunade, Jiraiya, or Sakumo Hatake.

He has no good relationship with anyone.

This gave him a real headache.

After all, Root has done too many things that violate the rules of Konoha Village.

If the new Hokage investigates, he will inevitably be punished.

Natsuki returned to the Senju clan's residence.

"Natsuki-senpai."

Kakashi Hatake quickly stepped forward and asked, "What will happen to my father?"

"You already know?"

Xia Mu was somewhat surprised.

"Um.

Kakashi Hatake explained, "He came back this morning, and I heard him arguing with his teammates."

"How is your father now?"

Xia Mu countered with a question.

"His teammates blamed him for saving him, but was saving someone wrong?"

Kakashi Hatake asked, bewildered.

"Saving people is not wrong."

Xia Mu shook his head and said, "Don't worry, your father will be fine. The Hokage is already handling this matter."

Kakashi Hatake breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

"Take me to see your father."

Xia Mu thought for a moment and said.

He felt it was best to talk to Sakumo Hatake beforehand, lest he do something rash.

The two left immediately.

"Xia Mu, what brings you here?"

Sakumo Hatake, upon seeing him, paused for a moment before asking, "Has the Hokage decided to punish me?"

"Not a matter of handling."

Natsuki briefly recounted the discussions that Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others had made earlier.

"I see."

Sakumo Hatake stated, "Whatever punishment the daimyo may impose on me, I will accept it."

Although he did not regret saving his teammate, it did cause a huge loss.

He will not evade his responsibility.

Kakashi Hatake hesitated, but was ultimately stopped by Sakumo Hatake's gaze.

"Tsunade-sensei and the Hokage will go to see the Daimyo; there won't be any severe punishment."

Natsuki still trusted Tsunade.

"Natsuki."

Sakumo Hatake hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Do you think it was the right choice for me to abandon the mission to save my teammates?"

In my opinion, this question is unnecessary.

Xia Mu shook his head and said.

Why?

Sakumo Hatake sensed that he was being misunderstood.

Nowadays, the mainstream mindset among ninjas is to prioritize the mission.

Someone like him who prioritizes saving lives is considered heretical.

"Then let me ask you this: if saving your teammates would cause heavy losses to Konoha, even resulting in a lot of deaths, would you still save them?"

Xia Mu raised a classic question.

Sakumo Hatake was stunned.

He opened his mouth, unsure how to answer.

Reason told him he shouldn't save her, but not saving her went against the beliefs he had always held dear.

"That's why I said the question I just asked was unnecessary."

Xia Mu said calmly, "Trust your choice and don't regret it."

Sakumo Hatake fell silent.

But he also understood what Xia Mu meant: he wanted him to continue to uphold his beliefs.

However, some changes need to be made.

Saving teammates is a belief, and saving Konoha Village is also a belief.

"No wonder you were able to get to this point in such a short time."

Sakumo Hatake sighed.

Upon hearing this, Xia Mu knew that he would not go to the point of suicide like in the original work.

He chatted for a while longer before saying goodbye and leaving.

Natsuki returned to the Dark Division.

Just in case, he immediately sent people to monitor Root and the teammate that Sakumo Hatake had rescued.

Three days later, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Tsunade, and Minato Namikaze returned to Konoha Village.

Natsuki was then summoned to the Hokage's office for a meeting.

He was accompanied by Danzo Shimura, Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and Orochimaru.

Jiraiya was absent again because he was still out.

"The daimyo has decided not to pursue this matter further."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smile.

Koharu and the others in the dorm showed expressions of surprise.

None of them expected that the Daimyo of the Land of Fire would choose not to pursue the matter this time.

"Natsuki."

Hiruzen Sarutobi shouted again.

"Lord Hokage."

Xia Mu stepped forward and said.

"Have the Anbu issue a notice to all Jonin."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said in a deep voice, "Starting today, the nomination process for the Fourth Hokage begins. All Jonin are eligible to be nominated, but only one at most."

"What?"

Shimura Danzo's eyes widened suddenly.

Although I had long anticipated this day, it still came too quickly.

Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado were also surprised.

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

Xia Mu was slightly taken aback, but immediately responded.

He suddenly thought of a possibility.

In the original work, there were two reasons why Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped down and gave way to Minato Namikaze.

One reason is to take responsibility for the ninjas who sacrificed their lives in the Third Shinobi World War.

Secondly, it was due to pressure from the Daimyo of the Land of Fire and the higher-ups of Konoha.

Now that he has abdicated, and the daimyo of the Land of Fire is not pursuing the matter, could it be for a similar reason?

After the high-level meeting, Natsuki found Tsunade.

After asking around, he confirmed his guess.

It was indeed Hiruzen Sarutobi who abdicated, thus sparing Sakumo Hatake from punishment by allowing the daimyo of the Land of Fire to step down.

After listening, Xia Mu felt a little dazed.

On the one hand, the butterfly effect he created is getting bigger and bigger.

But on the other hand, this is a good thing for Konoha Village.

If Sakumo Hatake hadn't died, and Hiruzen Sarutobi had abdicated early, he wouldn't have had to make so many blunders like he did in the original story.

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